North Jetty (Hikkaduwa) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on offer for Hikkaduwa over the next couple of weeks.

Alright, let's be straight with you. The pattern coming up is a bit of a mixed bag. We're looking at a solid run of strong, long-period groundswell rolling in, but it's going to be fighting a persistent onshore and cross-onshore wind. This means the surf is going to be there, but it'll be a battle for clean conditions. The first few days are a write-off, but there's a flicker of hope later on.

Monday 10th and Tuesday 11th August are tough. The swell is running at 5 ft from the SSW with a 15-19 second period, so there's plenty of energy (combined energy of 1447 and 1742), but the onshore winds from the WSW and W are going to make it a choppy, stormy mess. The risk of thunderstorms is high too. Not a great time to be in the water.

Wednesday 12th August doesn't change much. Still onshore, still messy, with 3 ft of SSW swell (16 second period, combined energy 1033). Marginal at best.

Thursday 13th August through Sunday 16th August are the worst of it. The swell drops right off to 3 ft to 3 ft, and the wind swings to a cross-onshore WNW. The wave comment is "poor surf conditions" across the board. The swell on the 15th and 16th does bump up to 6 ft from the west, but it's short period junk (7 seconds) and the wind is still cross-onshore. This is kite-surfing conditions, not paddle surfing.

Monday 17th August is still poor, tiny swell, cross-onshore.

Now, listen up. Tuesday 18th August is where things get interesting. The swell jumps back up to 7 ft from the SSW, with a very long 19-second period. The combined energy is a massive 2997. The wind is still cross-onshore from the WNW, so it's not perfect, but that's a lot of water moving. Keep an eye on this one.

Wednesday 19th August is the real standout. The swell bumps to 7 ft at 17 seconds from the SSW, with a combined energy of 3112. That's a lot of power. The wind remains cross-onshore, but the sheer size and energy of this swell pulse at North Jetty (Hikkaduwa) is going to make it the most interesting day of the whole outlook. The 7 ft is getting into expert territory, so know your limits.

Thursday 20th August holds at 6 ft, but the period drops to 16 seconds. Still a good swell, but the wind hasn't cleaned up. The water temperature is about average for this time of year.

Friday 21st August has 5 ft of SSW swell at 16 seconds (combined energy 1405), but still cross-onshore.

Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd August see the wind switch back onshore, and the swell drops to 5 ft then 4 ft. The quality drops off again.

After that, Monday 24th and Tuesday 25th August are back to poor surf with cross-onshore winds and 3 ft to 5 ft of swell.

So, the honest truth is: the whole period is plagued by wind. The only real standout is Wednesday 19th August, when the biggest swell of the run (7 ft from the SSW, very long period) hits. It's not clean, but it's going to be the biggest and most powerful day. The north end of the swell window is the only game in town, and North Jetty is the only spot on the list. Crowds are possible here, so be ready for a few people. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual.

Stay safe, and keep your eyes on the forecast for that 19th.

Rusty.

Read more